Request for Proposals: Art City 2025/26 Guest Artist Residency Series

Art City invites North America-based artists to submit proposals for our 2025/26 Guest Artist Residency Series.

Founded by artist Wanda Koop, Art City is a not-for-profit community art studio based in West Broadway, a culturally diverse and densely populated neighbourhood located on Treaty No. 1 Territory in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Art City provides people of all ages and abilities with innovative, barrier-free art programming, featuring guest artists who lead workshops based on their own art practices. Art City’s primary goal is to provide space and tools for anyone who wishes to express themselves creatively, with a focus on children and youth.

Eligibility

The Guest Artist Residency Series is designed for contemporary artists to share their practices in a community context. It is a collaborative process with a high level of engagement by participants of all ages. Workshop content must be appropriate for youth participation.

Many Art City participants are from Indigenous and Newcomer communities. Artists and Knowledge Keepers that belong to these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Artists must have a demonstrated proficiency in proposed art mediums.
*Art City is not accepting video-based proposals currently*

Representatives from art organizations, businesses, or arts educators who are not currently engaged in their own professional art practice are welcome to contact Art City for other opportunities for collaboration aside from the Guest Artist Residency Series.

Proposal Guidelines:

Selection Process

A Jury of Art City staff, Board and past guest artists deliberate proposals.

All artists will be contacted after the deliberation. Please allow for a period of 6 to 8 weeks after the submission deadline to hear back about the status of your proposal.

Artist Fees

Selected guest artists will receive artist fees of $3,250 CDN for a five-day workshop.

Visiting Artist Travel, Accommodations and Per Diem

Art City will reimburse selected non-Winnipeg-based guest artists up to $1,000 CDN for travel expenses. Reimbursement is issued upon submission of receipts. Expenses related to travel to and from airports are not eligible for reimbursement.

Art City will arrange and pay for selected non-Winnipeg-based guest artists’ accommodations.

A $60 CDN per diem (5 workshop days plus 2 travel days totaling 7 days/$420 CDN) will be provided for selected non-Winnipeg-based guest artists.

Pairs or Groups

While proposals from pairs or groups of artists will be considered, no additional artist fees or travel expenses are available. Visiting pairs or groups of artists will share the $1000 travel budget and accommodations budget. In the event a pair or group of visiting artists are selected, the per diem increases to $120/day (the 5 workshop days plus 2 travel days for a total of 7 days/$840) to be shared between the artists.

Safety

Selected guest artists will be required to obtain a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check, or the equivalent in the jurisdiction in which the artist is based, the cost of which is eligible for reimbursement by Art City.

Submissions must include:

1. Your name, address, e-mail and phone number.
2. A one-page letter of interest, including your availability from April 2025 to March 2026
3. A document consisting of a proposed title and brief description of the workshop.
4. A detailed list of materials/equipment required for the workshop.
5. A brief biography summarizing artistic achievements (1 paragraph).
6. CV including any past community engagement (maximum 3 pages).
7. Support material (images and/or video of relevant work) in digital format.
8. Support material list, including title, medium and dimensions.

Workshop Information:

Participants

Art City is open to all ages and is attended on a drop-in basis. Many participants are elementary to middle school-age children (ages 6 to 14). Older youth, adults, and older adults also attend Art City programs.

Group Size

Workshop attendance varies from day to day. Participants attend on a drop-in basis, some attending most days, others attending only once, arriving and leaving at different times throughout the evening. Workshop activities should ideally be planned to accommodate both day-by-day and week-long participation, with an average of 25 participants per day.

Daily Workshop Schedule:

• 3:00 pm Staff and guest artists arrive to set up the workshop*
• 3:30 pm Workshop begins, participants begin to arrive
• 5:30 pm Art making pauses for dinner (provided)
• 6:00 pm Art making resumes
• 7:30 pm Workshop ends, participants leave, staff and guest artists begin to clean up
• 8:00 pm Doors close, staff and guest artists leave

* To ensure there is sufficient time to prepare the workshop, guest artists and staff often arrange to meet earlier than 3:00 pm, especially at the start of the week.

Space

The main studio area measures approximately 27’x 19’ x 11’H. The studio is a versatile space that can be filled with tables and chairs or used as a wide-open work area.

Supplies

Art City maintains an inventory of art supplies, equipment and tools. A current list can be made available upon request.

Art City staff secure art supplies in advance of the workshop based on the list included in the workshop proposal and in consultation with the guest artist.

Support

Selected guest artists will be supported in developing, managing, and facilitating their workshops by the Artistic Director, Studio Programs Manager, Workshop Facilitators and volunteers.

Workshops are most successful when:

• They are based on the guest artist’s own art practice
• Can be explained to participants in a concise manner
• Participants enjoy a new experience and learn a new skill or technique
• Participants produce artwork they can share with friends and family
• Participants have the opportunity to work both collaboratively and individually
• Participants see their own culture reflected/celebrated.­

Submission Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025

Incomplete or late applications are ineligible.

Email proposals to: submissions@artcityinc.com

For further information about Art City and the Guest Artist Residency Series, or for consultation or questions prior to submitting your proposal, contact Artistic Director Eddie Ayoub at: eddie@artcityinc.com

Art City
616 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0W8
artcityinc.com